Overview
With its ancient culture and the Himalayas as a backdrop, landlocked Nepal has a romantic image. It is nonetheless one of the world's poorest countries, and is struggling to overcome the legacy of 10-year Maoist insurrection. Until Nepal became a republic in May 2008, it had been ruled by monarchs or a ruling family for most of its modern history in relative isolation.
Map
Facts
| Population: | 28.8 million (UN, 2008) |
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| Capital: | Kathmandu |
| Area: | 147,181 sq km (56,827 sq miles) |
| Major language: | Nepali |
| Major religions: | Hinduism, Buddhism |
| Life expectancy: | 63 years (men), 64 years (women) (UN) |
| Monetary unit: | 1 Nepalese rupee = 100 paisa |
| Main exports: | Carpets, clothing, leather goods, jute goods, grain |
| GNI per capita | US $340 (World Bank, 2007) |
| Internet domain: | .np |
| International dialling code: | +977 |
Sport
Sport Articles
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World Twenty20 day five as it happened09 Jun 09The only reason I like and follow cricket is because a co-worker of mine (from India) introduced me to it.
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England v France as it happened15 Mar 09Starting to get over the gain-line, les touristes. PS. I still have your Nepal Lonely Planet."
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India v England: 2nd Test day three as it happened21 Dec 08India's over rate has slowed to a crawl now, this is a painful end to an otherwise entertaining day's cricket.
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India v England 4th ODI as it happened23 Nov 08India are going to have a bit of fun, with four slips and a gully. Freddie digs out a yorker for a single to mid-off, Shah can only manage one to the cover boundary.
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India v England 3rd ODI as it happened20 Nov 08I agree with Alok (25th over) about ODIs being spread about the more "remote" parts of India. The Duckworth-Lewis sheet is brought out for KP - India are ahead at this stage.
Sport Clips
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Mudge on mountain-running challenge25 Jan 08It began at Everest base camp in Nepal at about 5,200m and terrain included 2,000m of descent and ascent.
Watch "Mudge on mountain-running challenge" now -
Scotland on top of the elephant polo world07 Dec 05Scotland retain their title at the Elephant Polo World Championship in Nepal.
Watch "Scotland on top of the elephant polo world" now
News
News Articles
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Poor countries 'need to change'16 Jul 09 | BusinessAnd it adds that "the policy myths of the self-regulating market and minimalist government have been buried under the mounting economic debris of the financial crisis".
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Nepal widows dismiss marriage incentive16 Jul 09 | South Asia
Many women in Nepal lost husbands during the country's 10-year conflict, which ended in 2006. As soon as a woman becomes a widow in Nepal, she loses her status within the home and society.
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Nepal hit by diarrhoea epidemic13 Jul 09 | South AsiaNepals' government vows to act after more than 100 people die from a diarrhoea epidemic in the west of the country..
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Gurkha fears over veteran's debt09 Jul 09 | UKLocal activists in Nepal are also calling on the Nepalese government to help Mr Pun, who they describe as a national hero.
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'15-year high' for rhino poaching09 Jul 09 | Science & EnvironmentThe document also said that rhino poaching was a problem in Asia itself, with evidence of about 10 of the animals being killed in India and a further seven being slaughtered in Nepal since January.
News Clips
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Nepal groups 'to form government'18 May 09An alliance of 22 parties in Nepal says it has enough support to form a coalition government, potentially ending the country's political turmoil.
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Gurkha hopes and dreams in Nepal11 May 09The BBC's Alastair Leithead speaks to Gurkhas in Nepal, while in the UK the debate continues over whether they should be allowed to stay.
Watch "Gurkha hopes and dreams in Nepal" now -
Nepal Maoists clash with police07 May 09Riot police have clashed with dozens of women protesters from the communist party, demanding the president sack the country's army chief.
Watch "Nepal Maoists clash with police" now -
Protests as Nepal crisis continues07 May 09Bill Hayton reports on the continuing political crisis in Nepal over the the dismissal of the head of the army.
Watch "Protests as Nepal crisis continues" now -
Nepal PM quits in army chief row04 May 09Nepal's Maoist Prime Minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, has resigned, amid a bitter political dispute.
Watch "Nepal PM quits in army chief row" now
Weather
Weather for Kathmandu
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conditions |  heavy showers | heavy showers | heavy showers |
| Max Temperature | Max:25°C/77°F | Max:26°C/79°F | Max:26°C/79°F |
| Min Temperature | Min:21°C/70°F | Min:21°C/70°F | Min:21°C/70°F |
Knowledge
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Religion & Ethics - History of BuddhismReligion & Ethics
Buddha temple statue, Kathmandu, Nepal A life of luxury Siddhartha Gautama was born around the year 580 BCE in the village of Lumbini in present-day Nepal.
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BBC Radio 4 - Thinking Allowed - 28 September 05Thinking Allowed
Laurie Taylor PROGRAMME DETAILS 28 September 05 KINGSHIP Why has the monarchy been such a prevalent institution throughout history and in such a diverse range of societies?
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Gardening - Weblog Cleve WestGardening
Boy am I grateful for that. | 21/06/2007 12:52 - Day Dreaming Part two of our tour finds us in Kathmandu, Nepal.
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Science & Nature - Climate ChangeScience & Nature
People from all over the world downloaded the BBC climate change experiment. The map and table show which countries users came from.r. 9 July 2009 Science & Nature Climate Change Experiment Results ...
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Religion & Ethics - Buddhist worship: Home and templeReligion & Ethics
Another typical Buddhist building is the Stupa, which is a stone structure built over what are thought to be relics of the Buddha, or over copies of the Buddha's teachings.
Around the web
News From Other Sources
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A hero's welcome for Joanna Lumley18 Jul 09 | The Independent
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The Bhutanese journey: From refugees to pioneers18 Jul 09 | Globe and Mail
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Interview: China becomes best example of...17 Jul 09 | SINA
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NEPAL: Crime Grows Amid Political Instability15 Jul 09 | Inter Press Service
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